I have been working on some new recipes for the menu planners I’m creating for Dr. Kharrazian’s autoimmune diet and wanted to create a pesto that is dairy and seed free. All the pesto recipes I have that are dairy-free have some kind of seed or nut in them so I was on a search for seed, nut and dairy-free pesto. I came across this nut-free Spinach Basil Pesto recipe that contains Parmesan and thought I could easily adapt it to being dairy-free.
Well, it turned out so delicious I couldn’t believe it is nut, seed and dairy-free! The secret ingredient? Nutritional yeast. I hope you’re not one of the people who can’t eat this and is now saying “bummer.” I am actually still waiting to hear if nutritional yeast is okay on Dr. K’s diet. But I am hoping it is because it is inactive yeast so it does not contribute to candida overgrowth as far as I understand.
Here’s the recipe:
Spinach Basil Pesto (nut-free, seed-free, and dairy-free)
5 ounces spinach (about 4 cups)
2 cups basil, thick stems removed
2 cloves garlic
1 tablespoon lemon juice
1/4 cup nutritional yeast (can use Parmesan if you can eat it)
1 teaspoon salt
I deleted the pepper but you can add 1/4 tsp. if you like
1/4 cup olive oil, or more as needed
Steps:
1. Add all ingredients to a food processor, starting with less oil at first. Pulse to combine and add more oil if needed. Enjoy on chicken, pasta, veggies, sandwiches and whatever else you can think of!
More about the Autoimmune Menu Planners for Dr. K’s autoimmune diet:
I am creating a new menu planner specifically that follows Dr. K’s diet recommendations. These menu planners will be very similar to the Elimination/Detox menu planners except that will be free of legumes and seeds. I will also be using some low-glycemic fruits for dessert and breakfast that he has on the diet.
I hope to have these menus done sometime in early fall. I am developing and testing new recipes which takes time. Some new recipes I hope to include that are not a part of the Eliminaton/Detox recipes include:
Bean-free Hummus I need to try this to see if I can make it will work without the tahini.
Nut and Dairy-free Pesto
Pumpkin Breakfast Cookies (applesauce sweetened)
Cinnamon Apple Coconut “Pancakes”
Nightshade-free Chicken and Turkey Tacos
Nut-free Fruit Crumbles
Coconut Yogurt
Kimchi and other new ferments
Many more – stay tuned!
I’m excited about testing new recipes! I will be posting more about Dr. K’s autoimmune diet as well as his new brain book called Why Isn’t My Brain Working? soon. In the meantime, I hope you enjoy this awesome pesto during this time of year when basil is so abundant.
Dear Sarah,
I just found your website and I am more than grateful for what you are doing! Thank you so much, it means the world to so many people who have to be on a strict diet.
I will start with Dr. K’s diet next week and am really looking forward to your new recipes!
Warm greetings from Germany,
Debora
Dear Sarah,
These new recipes you are testing sound very delicious, especially the “Cinnamon Apple Coconut “Pancakes” and the “Pumpkin Breakfast Cookies”!
Do you know how much more time you will need for developing those recipies and the menu planner for Dr. K’s diet?
All the best, Debora
HI Debra,
The first 4 menus are up on the site. I will be posting another one today maybe or early next week. But both of these recipes are already on the site as well. Enjoy!
Sarah
You’re welcome Debora. The new autoimmune planners are on the site and I will be posting more soon along with an Autoimmune Thanksgiving Menu Planner. Yay!